Climate Change

Submission by the U.S. office of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) to the Philippine Commission on Human Rights regarding the on-going investigation into the potential human rights violations suffered by Filipinos who have been impacted by the changing climate and ocean acidification.

Environmental groups challenged an amendment to the provisions of a local planning scheme that was necessary for the expansion of the Hazelwood coal mine in southeastern Australia. The petitioners claimed that the environment effects statement (EES) should have included analysis of the impacts of carbon emissions when the coal is later burned. The terms of reference for the EES stated that “[t]he Panel is not to consider matters related to greenhouse gas emissions from the Hazelwood Power Station - these issues are being addressed through a separate process. ”

A farmer filed a public interest litigation alleging the government of Pakistan’s inaction and delay in implementing the National Climate Change Policy and addressing vulnerabilities associated with climate change violates the fundamental constitutional rights to life and dignity.

In its first order, issued 4 September 2015, the Green Bench declared: